IUU Fishing

IUU Fishing

Saiko is a new form of IUU fishing identified in Elmina, Apam and Axim. It is a practice whereby the large foreign marine vessels invade the artisanal fisheries zone of the EEZ, deploy their heavy duty gear and catch fish of all species and sizes but mostly small juvenile fishes. The local fishermen buy this illegal catch out at sea. This practice is depleting artisanal fishing zones of fish stocks, threatening livelihoods, reducing profitability and food insecurity in fishing communities.

The aim of this project is to contribute to sustainability of the artisanal fisheries of Ghana through targeted education, advocacy and sensitization of stakeholders on some selected illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices taking place in the exclusive economic zone of Ghana.

Project objectives:

1. Facilitate greater stakeholder collaboration to counter IUU and Saiko fishing in Elimina, Apam and Axim in Central and Western Regions.

2. Build community and national level support for voluntary compliance and enforcement of fisheries regulations in Elimina, Apam and Axim.

3. Educate and sensitize fisheries stakeholders in Elmina, Apam and Axim on how to overcome Saiko fishing in their communities.

Funding for this project is provided by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund.